City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, November 28, 2022 The Rome City Commission met at 6:30 p.m. this date in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall, 601 Broad Street. Mayor Stevenson presided with Mayor Pro Tem Cochran and Commissioners Bojo, Beeman, Quick, Askew, Doss, and McDaniel present. Commissioner Collins was absent and excused. Mayor Stevenson opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – November 14, 2022 and November 15, 2022 The Minutes of the November 14, 2022, meeting and the November 15, 2022, Joint City, County, and Cave Spring Commission meeting, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Small Business Season Commissioner Quick presented a City/County proclamation, proclaiming the 2022 holiday shopping season as Small Business Season. This proclamation was presented to Pam Powers – Smith, Executive Director of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, and Aundi Lesley – Director of the Downtown Development Authority. West 3rd Street Area Closings – First Reading Secretary Smith stated that an ordinance was being placed on first reading which would close a portion of streets in the West 3rd Street area. These streets consist of a portion of North 4th Avenue, a portion of West 2nd street, and Bale’s Alley. A second reading for this ordinance is scheduled for the December 12th City Commission Meeting. A22-11-01 Annex 1225 Horseleg Creek Road Commissioner Quick presented annexation file A22-11-01 the request to annex a portion of the property located at 1225 Horseleg Creek Road. This property is identified by Floyd County Tax Max Number I14Y – 012 and is zoned Suburban Residential. The Planning Commission and staff have unanimously recommended approval. Assistant Rome/Floyd Planner Brice Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mr. Wood stated this is only a small portion of property and does not contain any structures. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order concerning the request. Speaking in favor of the annexation was Mr. Darrell Lowry, 28 Forest Meadow. Mr. Lowry stated that he wishes to buy this small portion of property from his neighbor. While Mr. Lowry’s property is in the City, his neighbor’s property is in the County, and he would like to consolidate this small portion of property with his existing home site and would like for it all to be inside the City. There was no one else to speak regarding this matter and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the annexation request with Suburban Residential zoning. Commissioner Askew seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously in favor. 1 Z/SUP22-11-04 3 Mile Road Commissioner Quick presented rezoning and special use permit file Z/SUP22-11-04. This request is to rezone property located on 3 Mile Road and identified by tax map number J12X – 019C from Multi- Family Residential to Agricultural Residential and for a special use permit to host farm/agriculture related events. The Planning Commission and staff have unanimously recommended approval. Assistant Rome/Floyd Planner Brice Wood reviewed this file, displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding properties. Mr. Wood stated that this file and the file next on tonight’s agenda, are both being presented in order to help facilitate Floyd County building the SPLOST authorized Agriculture Center. This property is located on 3 Mile Road behind the Mount Berry Square Mall. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order. Speaking in favor of the rezoning/special use permit request was Bruce Ivy, Floyd County Special Projects Manager. Mr. Ivy stated that the County would like to rezone this property and acquire an SUP in order for the Agriculture Center to be constructed at this site. There was no one else to speak regarding this matter and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning and SUP request as submitted. Commission McDaniel seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z/SUP22-11-05 2770 Martha Berry Hwy Commissioner Quick presented rezoning and special use permit request file Z/SUP22-11-05. This request is to rezone property located at 2770 Martha Berry Hwy and identified as tax map number J12X–019 from Community Commercial to Agricultural Residential and for a special use permit to host farm/agriculture related events. The Planning Commission and staff have unanimously recommended approval. Assistant Rome/Floyd Planner Brice Wood reviewed this file, stating this is the second of the two parcels that Floyd County plans to use for the construction of the Agriculture Center. This request was reviewed by Mr. Wood in the normal fashion. Mayor Stevenson called a public hearing to order. Speaking in favor of the rezoning and SUP request was Bruce Ivy, Floyd County Special Projects Manager. Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord was also present. He spoke briefly regarding this request and stated that Floyd County hopes to close on the purchase of these two tracts of property during the winter of 2023. The total area for these two tracts is approximately 20 acres and Floyd County feels that amount of property is needed to construct the Agriculture Center with appropriate parking. With there being no further comments, Mayor Stevenson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning and Special Use Permit request as submitted. Commissioner McDaniel seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Human Resources Department GLGPA Award City Manager Rich stated that the City of Rome’s Human Resources Department has received an award from the Georgia Local Government Personnel Association. This award is for the City of Rome’s development of the BRIDGE Academy Program. The BRIDGE Academy is used to help develop City personnel who are in positions of supervision or likely will be. 2 City of Rome Human Resources Director Kristi Shephard and Risk Manager Sarah Huffman spoke briefly regarding the success of the BRIDGE Academy and displayed the plaque that has been awarded to the City of Rome. The City of Rome BRIDGE Academy has graduated one class and is currently operating in Year Two. Joint Services Committee Mayor Stevenson announced that the Joint Services Committee scheduled to meet on Tuesday, December 6th at 8:30 a.m. has been canceled. Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Cochran announced that the Finance Committee meeting will hold a budget session on Wednesday, November 30th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Water and Sewer Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 1st at 10:00 a.m. has been cancelled. Alcohol Control Commission – Food/Drink Ratio Discussion Commissioner Beeman stated that the Alcohol Control Commission has begun discussions regarding a possible recommendation for an Alcohol Ordinance Amendment. Secretary Smith elaborated that the ACC is considering creating a new category of Pouring License. This category would allow certain establishments to pour distilled spirits without the need for a food/drink ratio. To this point, the discussion has surrounded a category of business which would be defined as small establishments that offer very limited, if any, entertainment. These establishments would also likely close earlier than the current mandated closing time. The Alcohol Control Commission will have further discussions concerning this possible recommendation at further meeting. Keep Rome/Floyd Beautiful Commission Commissioner Beeman announced that the Rome/Floyd Keep America Beautiful Chapter has been recognized by the national organization as the local affiliate of the month for November 2022. Library Board Commissioner Beeman announced that the Library has had its most recent audit which was returned with no findings. Commissioner Beeman stated this was one of the best audits the library has received. Trails Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the Rome Trail Committee continues to be active with expansion of our trails. Work continues on the Big Dry Creek bridge which will connect near the Rome Braves stadium and help create a highly anticipated loop. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Quick announced that the Downtown Development Authority will meet on Thursday, December 8th at 8:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Commission Quick also announced that Rome’s Downtown Development Director Aundi Lesley has been chosen to be a presenter at the National Mainstreet Conference. 3 Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission Commissioner Quick announced that the Rome/Floyd County Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, December 1st at 2:30 p.m. in the Sam King Room. Solid Waste Commission Commissioner Askew announced that the Solid Waste Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 22nd, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, November 29th at 8:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Health Board Commissioner McDaniel announced that the Health Board will meet on Thursday, December 8th at 12:00 p.m. via conference call. Christmas Parade – Mary Hardin Thornton Mayor Stevenson announced that the annual City Christmas Parade is scheduled for Tuesday, November 29th. Ms. Mary Hardin Thornton will be this year’s Grand Marshal. Adjourn With there being no further business, Mayor Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4